Boat Review- The Dufour 405
by John Kerr, Canadian Yachting Magazine/Sail-World on 12 Dec 2010
Dufour 405 cockpit SW
If winning the European boat of the year in the Family Cruising category in 2010 was not enough, the pent up demand for the Dufour 405 must have been a nice surprise.
Dufour owners are a fanatic bunch and the news Dufour was back in full force was welcome news for all. It’s no surprise to this yachting scribe that the yacht is a winner on the European scene.
It’s a strikingly beautiful boat with good performance metrics. Comments included in recent reviews were ‘the hull is easily driven and stable’ and ‘she is a quick and delightful boat to sail’. It is evident that the designers Felci and Roseau had figured out that they needed to bring home a broad-based boat that would appeal just about everywhere.
With standing headroom and wonderful furniture treatments, it’s
clear the target is those who want a comfortable stylish boat that does not compromise functionality for feel or performance for comfort.
With its fast hull and wonderfully clean deck layout and comfortable cockpit, this boat is a ‘must see’ for anyone looking in the mid-market range.
The 405 has a hand-laminated GRP hull using Neogel NPG (IsoNeo - pentylglycol) gelcoats designed to give
maximum protection in all water contact applications. In the 405, the NPG gelcoat, with the first layer of cloth impregnated with NPG forms, is an optimum barrier against osmosis concerns. A structural grid is laminated to the hull for optimum strength while the deck is an infused balsa core.
The bright interior brought about by the new coach roof and portlights design coupled with hull window and numerous
hatches is a wonderful host to a galley that has the feel of a small functional gourmet kitchenwith its large worktop
space and front and top opening refrigerator.
It even has a wine cellar. Below decks is well ventilated and is perfect for entertaining with its ambient LED night lighting. The wide hull portholes are perfect for exterior visibility.
There are two layouts. The two cabin layout features an L-shaped galley with easy access to sail and wet gear lockers
while the three-cabin version presents with a longitudinal galley, big size chart table, and three spacious double cabins. Aft, the head has an independent shower, while forward the ensuite head
has tons of storage space.
Designed to sail single-handed, its wonderful cockpit and ergonomic layout with all control lines led back and easy to
reach from the helm has two steering stations with separate compasses in easy reach of the winches. The wonderful tilting bathing platform with a deep telescoping ladder is only outdone by the life raft transom locker making the boat
always look neat and proper.
Dufour has always had a solid reputation and it anyone who is seeking a family cruising boat in this category would be foolhardy not to consider it. To find a dealer near you, http://www.dufour-yachts.com/dealer-buy-boat-sailboat-world-0.html!click_here. Find the specifications below the layout:
Length Overall 39’11'/12.17 m
Hull Length 39’/11.90 m
Length Waterline 34’10'/10.63 m
Maximum Beam 13’1'/3.98 m
Displacement 19,778 lb./8 990 kg
Draft 5’5'-6’7'/1.75-2.03 m
Mainsail Surface 881’6'²./81.90 m²
Water Tank Capacity 85.58 gal./380 L
Fuel Tank Capacity 44 gal./200 L
SPECIFICATIONS
Length Overall 39’11'/12.17 m
Hull Length 39’/11.90 m
Length Waterline 34’10'/10.63 m
Maximum Beam 13’1'/3.98 m
Displacement 19,778 lb./8 990 kg
Draft 5’5'-6’7'/1.75-2.03 m
Mainsail Surface 881’6'²./81.90 m²
Water Tank Capacity 85.58
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/77983
